As you read this, we will be completing the WCPT General Meeting in Singapore, and turning our thoughts to the opening ceremony of the WCPT Congress 2015, which begins on Friday.

There will be approximately 3,500 people there – and our registration statistics indicate that for around two thirds of them this will be their first WCPT Congress. It's great news that so many new people are discovering the congress, and have the opportunity to profit from its learning and networking opportunities. The profession can only benefit.

For those who can't attend, there are still ways to share in the unique opportunities congress offers over the next few days. You can look at the programme (www.wcpt.org/congress/programme), follow our rolling news updates from congress (www.wcpt.org/congress/articles), follow what's going on Twitter through the #WCPT2015 hashtag and then – when the congress is over – access the dozens of presentations via our website.

Whether you're in Singapore or not, we strongly believe that a WCPT Congress has something to offer everyone.

Kind regardsMarilyn Moffat and Brenda J Myers

If you would like to use all or part of this e-letter for your own newsletters/websites then please feel free. We need your assistance to reach the profession around the world, so please send this e-update to your members.

WCPT Congress 2017: call for members of the ISC

The WCPT Executive Committee is seeking applications for membership on the International Scientific Committee (ISC) for the WCPT Congress 2017. The closing date for applications is 30th May 2015. Details can be found at: bit.ly/1HqC2DZ

Applications from individual physical therapists belonging to a WCPT member organisation will be considered but they need the support of their member organisation. Individuals wishing to serve must submit:

·a letter addressing the person specification

·a current curriculum vitae

·a letter of support from their WCPT member organisation.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail, no later than 30th May to Esther Bright ebright@wcpt.org.

FREE course on rehabilitation of people with lower limb amputations

Physiopedia is running a free six week course on rehabilitation of people with lower limb amputations. The course will start on 1st June 2015 and you can register now at: bit.ly/1yneXk4.

The course has been developed with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and will be run in collaboration with them. ICRC supports rehabilitation services for amputees worldwide. Over the six weeks a wide range of theoretical concepts of amputee rehabilitation that can be applied to clinical practice will be covered.

WCPT Future Network is WCPT's newest network and is for physical therapist students and early career professionals who have been qualified less than five years.

The aim of the network is to engage physical therapist students and early career professionals with WCPT and their member organisations, encouraging, promoting and facilitating the interchange of ideas and activities of common interest.

The World Health Organization has issued a public statement calling for the disclosure of results from clinical trials, whatever the result. The move aims to ensure that decisions related to the safety and efficacy of vaccines, drugs and medical devices for use by populations are supported by the best available evidence.

The WHO statement falls into line with the objectives of the All Trials campaign for research transparency, which WCPT signed up to in 2013: www.alltrials.net/.

IOF runs global campaigns raising public awareness of bone, muscle and joint health. Initiatives include World Osteoporosis Day (held on 20th October), and the Capture the Fracture and Love Your Bones campaigns. www.iofbonehealth.org/campaign-globally

Educata: free lymphedema article

A new peer-reviewed research paper has been made available by Educata: Effects of manual lymphatic drainage on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Download it at: www.educata.com/articles.aspx

This, and other professional research articles, are available to download at at no charge to members of Educata. Register for free at: www.wcpt.org/node/29540.

You may also be interested in Educata's courses on treating edema, all three of which are a part of the new Certificate of Achievement in Oncology Physical Therapy (CAOPT) from the Oncology Section of the APTA bit.ly/1G2VQJu.

The abstract submission and registration process for the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) Conference is now open.

The IFOMPT Conference is an international event held every four years to celebrate innovation and research within neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy. It will take place in Glasgow at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) from 4th - 8th July 2016.

Inclusion saves lives is a United Nations campaign ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of disaster risk reduction efforts to save lives.

Persons with disabilities are a unique and often overlooked resource of knowledge and experience, essential to help reduce the risk of disasters and build resilient societies and communities. A barrier-free environment helps to ensure full and equal participation in society by all, regardless of age, gender or ability.

If you are unable to access our website using the links within this email, you may need to copy and paste the hyperlinks directly into your internet browser. If you have problems reading this email, you can view it online at www.wcpt.org/eupdate

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is a registered charity in the UK, no. 234307

If you are unable to access our website using the links within this email, you may need to copy and paste the hyperlinks directly into your internet browser. If you have problems reading this email, you can view it online at www.wcpt.org/wcptnews/latest

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is a registered charity in the UK, no. 234307

We are looking forward to presenting the WCPT Awards on 30th April during the gala dinner being held at the time of the WCPT General Meeting in Singapore. The awards, including the Mildred Elson Award launched in 1987, recognise outstanding contributions to physical therapy on an international level.

As the world gets smaller, international recognition is increasingly important for those professionals who extend their influence beyond national boundaries to further their profession and promote global health. These are special people.

There's a lot of commitment in our profession. Many physical therapists give up their time – and sometimes much more - to contribute to the work of the profession at national, regional and international levels. They undertake projects, organise events, and sit on committees among other things. We'll be seeing it too in the approximately 250 volunteers who will guide and help delegates during the WCPT Congress 2015, after the General Meeting.

During our time in Singapore, we'll have plenty of opportunity to relish everything that is good in our profession.

Kind regardsMarilyn Moffat and Brenda J Myers

If you would like to use all or part of this e-letter for your own newsletters/websites then please feel free. We need your assistance to reach the profession around the world, so please send this e-update to your members.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

The NCD Alliance's new "Advocacy Toolkit on NCDs in the Post-2015 Development Agenda" is available for download as a navigable PDF on its website. The toolkit aims to equip advocates with the information and resources necessary to secure the inclusion of NCDs and health in the post-2015 development agenda. In addition, the two pager "NCDs: A Priority for Sustainable Human Development" can also be downloaded. It includes new infographics to reinforce the case for NCDs as a priority development issue, and outlines our asks for NCD-related targets/indicators in post-2015. The toolkit is currently available as a PDF download in English and Spanish: bit.ly/1BrYXIj.

To find out about the World Health Organization Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of NCDs go to: bit.ly/19ngnz3.

Report: Ending childhood obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO) has just published its interim report at: www.who.int/end-childhood-obesity/en/. The Commission is currently welcoming suggestions and feedback on this report, which identifies key issues and outlines potential policy options.

UN disability newsletter

The United Nations disability newsletter, Enable, this month highlights:

the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

World Autism Awareness Day, 2nd April

World Down Syndrome Day, 21st March

events that took place in December to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2014

Save the date for this leading international conference on health professional regulation taking place on 14th and 15th May 2016.

Scheduled to run over one and a half days, immediately before the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly in Geneva, the fourth World Health Professions Regulation Conference will provide participants with insights, perspectives and discussion on current challenges in health professional regulation. Find out more as available at: www.whpa.org/whpcr2016/index.htm

MedBridge

One of WCPT's education partners, MedBridge, is offering a yearly subscription at a discount of more than 50%. MedBridge gives you an opportunity to enhance clinical skills and improve patient outcomes with its evidence-based online curriculum and patient education tools. With a 12-month subscription you have unlimited access to:

To support the campaign for 2015, "How safe is your food", the World Health Organization have produced a toolkit with posters, leaflets and banners available for download.

If you are unable to access our website using the links within this email, you may need to copy and paste the hyperlinks directly into your internet browser. If you have problems reading this email, you can view it online at www.wcpt.org/eupdate

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) is a registered charity in the UK, no. 234307